Your Impression #67 Etude

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Archive 2008 · Your Impression #67 Etude

Steady Hand
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p.2 #1 · Your Impression #67 Etude

epuja wrote:
Steady-

My impressions

(1) The dress and necklace are beautiful
(2) The piano is beautiful (I love music, and I can imagine the sounds it would produce)
(3) The lighting is perfect.
(4) The lady is also beautiful - but I cannot understand her expression - Seems like either she is unhappy or forcing herself to "pose", I personally like natural poses, this one seems a bit unnatural for some reason.
(5) The picture is extremely sharp edge to edge, I'd be curious as to the equipment you used and settings - although this has nothing to do with the actual image.

Overall I like everything about this picture except for her facial expression. Technically it's perfect, including the black and white conversion.

Hi,

Thanks for the more detailed note.

The equipment is described in the body of each Impressions Introduction (go back to the top of this post/discussion and look down into the body of the long text intro. IT contains lots of tips and advice and points about light and tools.

As for the expression?
See my responses to Yves and Gordon who posted just before you did. You may have missed my explanations there, but I hope you see them now.

The "pose" versus the "expression" is part of the "deal" on this image. My intent was to show something of "Grace" and "Power."

I hope that helps. I sent you a PM with more about the zenfolio use etc..

Please send me a PM with your FIRST name, and city/state so I can add your impression to my Global project.

Dec 02, 2008 at 10:20 PM

John Power
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p.2 #2 · Your Impression #67 Etude

I really like the exposure Steady. The eye goes right to the subject. But the expression. I just can't warm up to it. It is almost a confused look. Not pensive, not piercing.

Dec 02, 2008 at 11:10 PM

Canon ball
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p.2 #3 · Your Impression #67 Etude

Her lips are parted (not in a line) and her hands are soft, relaxed (not rigid). Especially given the context of the other photos, this gives her questioning look a playfulness, possibly a sensuality. To me, this woman's mouth looks ready to smile, inspite of the intense expression in her eyes. She is awaiting a reaction, but has already seen it in your expression.

Dec 02, 2008 at 11:21 PM

Steady Hand
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p.2 #4 · Your Impression #67 Etude

John Power wrote:
I really like the exposure Steady. The eye goes right to the subject. But the expression. I just can't warm up to it. It is almost a confused look. Not pensive, not piercing.

Hi John,

Good to see you in an Impressions discussion.

I am glad you like the exposure (me too).

The "expression" is the "jewel" of this crown.

The confused look?

Think of it this way:

Piano Professional: "You DO understand, don't you?"

Of course that is just "one of many" ways to see it.

People do interesting things when they are free to react.

I do appreciate your own POV or Impression and thank you for adding it to the mix too.

Dec 02, 2008 at 11:42 PM

Steady Hand
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p.2 #5 · Your Impression #67 Etude

Canon ball wrote:
Her lips are parted (not in a line) and her hands are soft, relaxed (not rigid). Especially given the context of the other photos, this gives her questioning look a playfulness, possibly a sensuality. To me, this woman's mouth looks ready to smile, in spite of the intense expression in her eyes. She is awaiting a reaction, but has already seen it in your expression.

Hello canon ball....

Glad to see you in this discussion too.

I LIKE that impression. Very interesting!

I think I know just what you mean too. I can "see it" as you have described.

And...you put a new spin on it too. Very nice...very nice. Words that carry meaning in a nice bit of prose expressing emotion and thoughts. Well written. Limerick is famous for its wordsmiths. I think you have that skill.

I really liked the last few words: (you wrote) "ready to smile, in spite of the intense expression in her eyes. She is awaiting a reaction, but has already seen it in your expression."

Man...I am sure she is going to love reading that one.

I did.

Folks....this "Impression" stuff is a real thrill when the impressions take you on a little trip around the image with the eyes of another person. It is like a "trip around your own neighborhood in a new car or a friend's car," you get to experience old familiar places in a brand new way.

You ought to try it sometime. I really enjoy it. It is fun.

Dec 02, 2008 at 11:50 PM

bob parrish
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p.2 #6 · Your Impression #67 Etude

Steady,

Etude. Oh my! This is a wonderful portrait! If there was any doubt this woman could play, the strength and confidence of her piercing eyes should put that to rest. She displays the intensity of a true artist, perhaps a bit tormented and unsettled, or maybe I see a peek of a brilliant mind, or maybe it's her willingness to truly *look* *at* *me.* When I view this portrait I feel I have nowhere to hide-that she sees the real me and all of my thoughts, and hopes and fears. And then knowing me, she begins to play- for me.

Really, this series of musical portraits is exceptional. I love music, play music, go to concerts and maybe it's just me, but these are just over the top.

I'm waiting for "adagio."

Bob

Dec 02, 2008 at 11:58 PM

Steady Hand
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p.2 #7 · Your Impression #67 Etude

bob parrish wrote:
Steady,

Etude. Oh my! This is a wonderful portrait! If there was any doubt this woman could play, the strength and confidence of her piercing eyes should put that to rest. She displays the intensity of a true artist, perhaps a bit tormented and unsettled, or maybe I see a peek of a brilliant mind, or maybe it's her willingness to truly *look* *at* *me.* When I view this portrait I feel I have nowhere to hide-that she sees the real me and all of my thoughts, and hopes and fears. And then knowing me, she begins to play- for me.

Really, this series of musical portraits is exceptional. I love music, play music, go to concerts and maybe it's just me, but these are just over the top.

I'm waiting for "adagio."

Bob

Howdy Bob.

One word: WOW.

You really put some great emotion into your impressions comments and I DO appreciate every single word and emote.

Really. You hit some nice notes there yourself. Nice thoughts. Great expressions of feelings and responses to a photo.

YOU are a great impressionist!

Adagio?
I am glad you mentioned it.

I have that waiting in the wings or.."it is on the program too."

Hmmm.....I have a few more visual notes on my keyboard.

The ones I have been planning (or seeing with my mind's eye or in my head) for the last few weeks are "Grandioso" and "Duetto."

It may be a few weeks before I can make those happen because of the holidays etc. . But they are on my mind.

I am very glad you liked this image and the series.

Dec 03, 2008 at 12:17 AM

Bmetcan
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p.2 #8 · Your Impression #67 Etude

Hello Steady,

My impression of this image is that I am a student of her's (and a poor one at that), that hasn't met her expectations for a particular piece. She is frustrated with my progress and has just asked me how serious I am about learning the piano. I have to turn away as I answer because I know I haven't put in the time and effort to learn that's equal to the time and effort she has taken to teach. Kinda like my photography

Steve

Dec 03, 2008 at 01:30 AM

Steady Hand
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p.2 #9 · Your Impression #67 Etude

Bmetcan wrote:
Hello Steady,

My impression of this image is that I am a student of her's (and a poor one at that), that hasn't met her expectations for a particular piece. She is frustrated with my progress and has just asked me how serious I am about learning the piano. I have to turn away as I answer because I know I haven't put in the time and effort to learn that's equal to the time and effort she has taken to teach. Kinda like my photography

Steve

Steve....That was a clever impression.

I liked it.

Yes...I can see that too. Good wording. Well done.

I really liked the part:
"I know I haven't put in the time and effort to learn that's equal to the time and effort she has taken to teach."

I know that feeling.

Thanks for adding your thoughts to the mix.

Please send me a PM with your City and State.

Dec 03, 2008 at 01:33 AM

Steady Hand
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p.2 #10 · Your Impression #67 Etude

Hi Folks,

I just got an impression on this portrait that is a very good expression/impression of the "feeling" and "intent" of this image.

I am sharing it here because I think it will help others (Impressionistas or not) better understand the motive (motif) of this image and it's place in the series of portraits of this artist/pianist.

Put another way, I could not have said it better (than Santiago)!

__________________

CLIP:

"From a visual perspective, words that come to my mind when I see this portrait are elegant, sophisticated, impeccable.

From an emotional point of view, I would say this portrait is cold (the tones characterizing the pianist's skin; her beauty, seemingly unapproachable), intense to the point of becoming intimidating (her staring eyes and her leaning face), daring and perhaps even forbiding (her eyes daring the viewer to express something about her).

I understand that this is but one facette of the pianist's complex personality. There are many other facettes, and without this one she wouldn't be whole."

Santiago, Switzerland

Dec 03, 2008 at 04:20 PM

angeposs
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p.2 #11 · Your Impression #67 Etude

I find this woman very beautiful and elegant and your photograph perfect (Light, comp, etc).
I am a musician so portraits of musicians draw me in. However, she seems blank and passionless and I can't imagine her music being very interesting to listen to. I imagine it, too would be technically perfect but lacking in emotion).

Dec 06, 2008 at 03:43 PM

Steady Hand
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p.2 #12 · Your Impression #67 Etude

angeposs wrote:
I find this woman very beautiful and elegant and your photograph perfect (Light, comp, etc).
I am a musician so portraits of musicians draw me in. However, she seems blank and passionless and I can't imagine her music being very interesting to listen to. I imagine it, too would be technically perfect but lacking in emotion).

Hello Angeposs,

I am glad to see a new person join in an Impressions discussion.

As I have said before: "All sincere impressions are helpful."

I am not surprised by your impressions and they do range from "beautiful" to "elegant" to "perfect" to "blank" and "passionless."

I suppose it is truly a matter of "how we see it."

What you see as "blank" and "passionless" actually appears very different to me.

I don't see a "blank" look at all. On the contrary, she is directly fixed on "me" the viewer with a very intense look. If it were "blank" I would expect to see her looking like she is looking at nothing.

And "passion" can be shown many different ways.

Here, I see a "passion" for the "serious" side of music.

"Passion" is a very complex and many faceted "emotion." From "love to hate" can be one way of seeing a range of passions. Two very opposite "emotions" but both can be expressed with "passion."

So, can "intense" be a range of expressions too.

It is unfortunate that I cannot (at this time) share her musical performance with you (or the forum). She did show "passion" in her playing and her whole body (and face) showed it, sweeping from "sublime" to "intense and forceful." She is an excellent pianist, and more so because she does feel passionately her music and expresses it too (sound and visually).

I hope these comments help you and others consider the "range" of how an expression, even a seemingly "blank" one, can actually be a cue to another expression of emotion or feeling.

Thanks for participating in this discussion. I hope to see you in more. I do appreciate your POV.

And...please send me a PM with your First Name, City, State, so I can include your comments in my Global Impressions Project.

Dec 06, 2008 at 04:11 PM

vws51
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p.2 #13 · Your Impression #67 Etude

My impressions:

I was immediately struck by the model's beauty. Her classic features, hairstyle, makeup and clothing all contribute perfectly to portray a woman of style and grace. Her expression shows extreme confidence. And the placement of the hands goes perfectly with her expression... graceful, confident and beautiful. It's as if she's placed them just so for us to admire. She is saying to me, "These hands are the source of the beautiful music you are about to hear."

It's a wonderful portrait. Well done!

Bill
Seattle, Washington
USA

Dec 06, 2008 at 05:49 PM

Steady Hand
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p.2 #14 · Your Impression #67 Etude

vws51 wrote:
My impressions:

I was immediately struck by the model's beauty. Her classic features, hairstyle, makeup and clothing all contribute perfectly to portray a woman of style and grace. Her expression shows extreme confidence. And the placement of the hands goes perfectly with her expression... graceful, confident and beautiful. It's as if she's placed them just so for us to admire. She is saying to me, "These hands are the source of the beautiful music you are about to hear."

It's a wonderful portrait. Well done!

Bill
Seattle, Washington
USA

Howdy Bill.

I am glad to see a new "impressionist" in FM.

And you are a good one with a very perceptive way of seeing the "character" in the image.

Thanks for sharing your impression. It is appreciated by me and I am SURE it will be appreciated by the pianist too (as I will give her a copy when I next see her).

I think your impression of her is very accurate. She does have those qualities.

And I also liked your mentioning the hands and how you see them. Very good.

THAT was the intended "impression" so your words made me very happy (as an artist/photographer).

I do hope to see you participate in other Impressions discussions too. Past, Present, or Future.

Good light to you.

Dec 06, 2008 at 10:37 PM

FSJ_Guy
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p.2 #15 · Your Impression #67 Etude

Wow. Having seen the other pictures of this woman, I'm amazed that she can look so serious, too!

This gives me the feeling of being her student that hasn't practiced as much as she expected me to. As if she were scolding me, not verbally, but simply with "the look". As mentioned before, she looks cold. But having seen the other pictures you've captured, they tell a story of her character. Soft and kind, yet firm and determined when necessary.

BTW, I love these photos! Keep em coming.

Dec 07, 2008 at 05:04 PM

Steady Hand
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p.2 #16 · Your Impression #67 Etude

FSJ_Guy wrote:
Wow. Having seen the other pictures of this woman, I'm amazed that she can look so serious, too!

This gives me the feeling of being her student that hasn't practiced as much as she expected me to. As if she were scolding me, not verbally, but simply with "the look". As mentioned before, she looks cold. But having seen the other pictures you've captured, they tell a story of her character. Soft and kind, yet firm and determined when necessary.

BTW, I love these photos! Keep em coming.

Hi FSJ_Guy.

I am glad you like this image (and the others too). Thanks for the kind words.

And I know just what you mean too. Your comment (clip):

"But having seen the other pictures you've captured, they tell a story of her character. Soft and kind, yet firm and determined when necessary."

is a very good way of putting it. I liked that.

Thanks for adding your impressions to the mix. I am sure the pianist will like reading yours too.

Dec 07, 2008 at 11:02 PM

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